Cartridge



W. L. REED CARTRIDGE April 11, 1933.

Filed Feb. 23, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 11, 1933.

w. I.. REED 1,903,557

CARTRIDGE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s i E g .latented Apr.ii, 1933 STATES WILLIAM L. REED, OF MIAMI, FLORIDA CARTRIDGE Applicationfiled February 23, 1932. Serial No. 594,664.

This invention relates to ammunition, but more particularly to thedesign and construction of a cartridge.

The invention has for its object to increase the velocity, penetrationand accuracy of the bullet and to decrease wear on the rifle barrel.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section of the cartridge in operativeposition in a rifle barrel.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the cartridge.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View through the muzzle of a riflebarrel illustrating the bullet having just emerged from the muzzle.

Fig. 4 is a rear plan view of the pusher.

Fig. 5 is a front plan view of the same.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the open end of the cartridgeshell showing a modification, and

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing a further modification.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout theseveral figures,

in which '1 indicates a rifle barrel having the usual lands 2, grooves 3and cartridge chamber 4.

5 indicates the cartridge which includes the shell 6 and bullet 7. Theshell 6 includes the powder chamber 8 and the reduced bullet-re: ceivingportion 9.

At about the juncture of the powder chamber 8 and the reduced portion 9,the shell may be provided with an internal shoulder 10, as in Fig. 1, orwith an annular crimped groove 10 as in Fig. 6 or with a plurality ofpunched indentations 10 as in Fig. 7.

As will further appear from Figs. 2, 6 and 7, I provide within thereduced portion 9 of the shell 6, a follower 11 of light metal about thesoftness of copper, and this pusher 11 is seated snugly against theflange 10 or the equivalent groove or indentations shown in Figs. 6 and7. It will further appear from these figures that the follower 11 hasits rear end definitely concaved to form a recess 12 which formationprovides a slight annular face 13. It will also be seen that the frontend 14 of the pusher 11, is provided with a deep conical chamber 15, thesurface of which is formed of a series of alternate ribs 16 and grooves17, and that the surface of the pusher directly surrounding the conicalrecess 15,

is cupped at-18, while the extreme edge is formed on an angle or taperedat 19 as particularly well shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Referring now to the bullet 7, it will be seen that the rear end 20 hasa smooth, uninterrupted conical formation and terminates in a point 21,so as to reduce to the minimum the drag of the bullet in flight and thusmaterially increase its speed and accuracy. The nose 22 of the bulletmay be of any approved conical form, it being of course understood thatthe exact size and formation of the bullet would have to be altered tomeet the particular conditions for which the bullet is intended.Likewise, the bullet 7 may be of any approved material such as a leadcore and 7 copper-nickel jacket.

I prefer to slightly groove the bullet annularly at 23 (Fig. 3) and toprovide the shell with a crimped end 24 to engage this portion 23 so asto more effectively retain the bullet in proper position in the shell.

Having thus fully described the invention, its operation is as follows:The bullet 7 and its pusher 11 having been assembled or loaded in theshell as shown in Fig. 2, upon firing, the pressure behind the pusher 11acts most effectively upon the concaved chamber 12 and tends to slightlyexpand the surrounding annular face 13 so as to force it more intimatelyagainst the grooves 3 of the rifle 5 barrel when the pusher 11 takes thelands. This effectively prevents pressure leakage and increases themuzzle velocity of the bullet 7. Since with this construction the bullet7 itself does not have to prevent pressure leakage, it may be madesmaller than is the usual practice, so that while it takes the lands ofthe rifling, its rotation may for the most part be imparted to it by thepusher 11. To that end the conical recess 15 of the push- 5 er isprovided with the alternate ribs 16 heretofore described so as tointimately grip the conical end of the bullet frictionally and assist inimparting rotation to the bullet.

A positive interlocking of the bullet with the grooves of the pusherwhich might tend to prevent rapid separation of the bullet from theusher in flight is to be guarded against. owever this construction ofthe 5 conical recess 15 in the pusher 11 performs an additionalfunction. When the bullet 7 is clear of the muzzle and is under theinfluence of the air, the cupped portion 18 of the follower, ofieringresistance to the air, assists 1f 10 in directing air mto the alternategrooves 17 in the conical recess of the pusher 11 to efiect a quickseparation of bullet and pusher. Furthermore, the ta ered or angularedge portion 19 of the pus er efi'ectively opens up 15 the crimped end24: of the shell and greatly assists the entrance of the pusher into therifling of the rifie barrel as will of course be entirely evident froman inspection of the accompanying drawings.

While I have only described one example of pusher and bulletconstruction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to theexact construction shown and described, but consider myself clearlyentitled to all 25 such changes and modifications falling within thelimit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A cartridge including a shell having a powder holding portion and abullet receivmg portion, a pusher in the bullet holding portion, theshell including means for seating the pusher, the pusher including aconcaved recess and a surrounding annular face,

the front of the pusher including a conical recess having a surface ofalternate ribs and grooves, a cupped portion surrounding the conicalrecess and an outer tapered portion, a bullet having a conical rear endto be received in the conical recess in the pusher and to be engaged bythe ribs therein, an annularly grooved portion on the bullet, the shellhaving a crimped end for engaging the grooved portion of the bullet.

4 2. A cartridge'including a shell having a powder holding portion and abullet receiving portion, a pusher in the bullet holding portion, thepusher including a concaved recess and a surrounding annular face, the

front of the pusher including a conical recess having a surface ofalternate ribs and grooves, a cupped portion surrounding the v JMWKNconical recess, and an outer tapered portion, a bullet having a conicalrear end to be received in the conical recess in the pusher and to beengaged by the ribs therein, the bullet being provided with an annulargrooved portion, the shell having a crimped end for engaging the groovedportion of the bullet.

to in testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM L. REED.

